Aviation News

Yesterday, the FAA signed a declaration of cooperation with the Spanish Aviation and Security Agency (AESA) to help develop sustainable alternative aviation fuels in the two countries. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari attended the signing and said, “Spain…has an ambitious and innovative alternative jet fuels R&D program, the involvement of all the key […]

Yves Rossy, known as “Jetman” for his jet-powered backpack-wing flights, has introduced an unpowered version of his wing apparatus. In a video released on his website last week, Rossy not only flies a heart-stopping routine among the mountains of his native Switzerland, but also discusses the new glider version. He points out that all the […]

Sometimes it’s the small things that matter and, if the claims of Premier Aviation out of Concord, California, are true, a simple wheel cover has achieved impressive performance improvements for the Cessna 400 twin-series of airplanes. The company recently received the sign off from the FAA for an STC to install its dome wheel cover […]

Jessica Cox, the first person without arms to earn a pilot’s certificate, is joining Handicap International on a journey to Ethiopia to inspire children with disabilities to reach beyond their dreams despite their physical challenges. Handicap International targeted Ethiopia because low-income countries in particular tend to deny handicapped people opportunities offered to the general public. […]

The velocity is a kit-built composite four-seater. Similar in configuration to Burt Rutan’s VariEze and Long-EZ, it has a swept wing with tall upturned tips, a pusher propeller and a rectangular foreplane of high aspect ratio. The landing gear may be fixed or retractable. Triangular leading-edge extensions, or “strakes,” along the sides of the fuselage […]

A new concept in aircraft ownership is taking flight with the launch of DiamondShare, a shared-use program that seeks to make flying more affordable by spreading the costs around. As you might have guessed, the idea is based exclusively on Diamond Aircraft products, specifically the four-place, single-engine Diamond DA40 XLS. The program matches aircraft owners […]

Start Pac, the maker of portable aircraft starting units and ground power carts, has introduced its latest product, the Start Pac Model 53300, a 300-amp power supply that the company says is perfect for toting into the field. Designed for use during maintenance and to power up various aircraft systems such as inverters, avionics and […]

Warbird pilot and restorer Bob Odegaard captured the hearts of many who knew him, and his death in the crash of his Super Corsair (Race Plane 74) on September 7 left many of his friends with deeply empty feelings. Odegaard was known for his playful, positive nature and his penchant for pithy quotes, such as […]

Van’s Aircraft celebrated a milestone this week as the 8,000th confirmed RV kit airplane made its first flight. The airplane, an RV-7A built by Stephen Watson from Santa Clarita, California, took flight on Monday. At the completion of the flight, the builder proclaimed: “She flew like an RV.” Watson, who works at the Jet Propulsion […]

As the rise of pilotless drones in U.S. airspace becomes more prevalent, some local and state governments are adopting measures to curtail their use. On Monday, the Charlottesville, Virginia, city council became the latest to do so, voting 3-2 in favor of a resolution that “calls on the United States Congress and the General Assembly […]